AN6.25 — The Discourse on the Bases of Mindfulness

Disciples, there are these six bases of mindfulness. What six?

Here, disciples, a noble disciple recollects the Tathāgata thus: Such indeed is the Blessed One... teacher of gods and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One. When, disciples, a noble disciple recollects the Tathāgata, at that time their mind is not obsessed by lust, nor by hatred, nor by delusion; their mind is straight, having been freed from these defilements. Defilement, disciples, is a term for the five cords of sensual pleasure. Herein, some beings are purified by using this as an object of meditation.

Again, disciples, a noble disciple recollects the Dhamma thus: Well proclaimed by the Blessed One is the Dhamma... to be personally experienced by the wise. When, disciples, a noble disciple recollects the Dhamma, at that time their mind is not obsessed by lust, nor by hatred, nor by delusion; their mind is straight, having been freed from these defilements. Defilement, disciples, is a term for the five cords of sensual pleasure. Herein, some beings are purified by using this as an object of meditation.

Again, disciples, a noble disciple recollects the Saṅgha thus: Well-practiced is the Saṅgha of the Blessed One's disciples... the unsurpassed field of merit for the world. When, disciples, a noble disciple recollects the Saṅgha, at that time their mind is not obsessed by lust, nor by hatred, nor by delusion; their mind is straight, having been freed from these defilements. Defilement, disciples, is a term for the five cords of sensual pleasure. Herein, some beings are purified by using this as an object of meditation.

Again, disciples, a noble disciple recollects their own virtue, unbroken... leading to concentration. When, disciples, a noble disciple recollects their virtue, at that time their mind is not obsessed by lust, nor by hatred, nor by delusion; their mind is straight, having been freed from these defilements. Defilement, disciples, is a term for the five cords of sensual pleasure. Herein, some beings are purified by using this as an object of meditation.

Again, disciples, a noble disciple recollects their own generosity: It is a gain for me, it is well gained by me... delighting in giving and sharing. ... Herein, some beings are purified.

Again, disciples, a noble disciple recollects the devas: There are the devas of the Four Great Kings, the devas of the Thirty-three, the Yāma devas, the Tusita devas, the devas who delight in creating, the devas who control what others have created, the Brahma-world devas, and devas beyond them.

Just as those devas, with their respective faith, virtue, learning, generosity, and wisdom, passed away from here and reappeared there, so too do I possess such faith, virtue, learning, generosity, and wisdom.

When, disciples, a noble disciple recollects their own and the devas faith, virtue, learning, generosity, and wisdom, at that time their mind is not obsessed by lust, nor by hatred, nor by delusion; their mind is straight, having been freed from these defilements. Defilement, disciples, is a term for the five cords of sensual pleasure. Herein, some beings are purified by using this as an object of meditation.

These, disciples, are the six bases of mindfulness.